日本車在中國銷路回升

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

中国新車販売 日本車シェア回復
4月11日 23時11分

先月の中国での新車の販売台数は、２０３万台余りと、１か月間の数字としては過去最高に上り、このうち乗用車の日本車のシェアは７か月ぶりに１５％台に回復しました。

中国自動車工業協会は１１日、先月の新車の販売台数が、景気の回復を背景に、去年の同じ月より１３．２％増えて、２０３万５０００台余りとなり、１か月間の数字としては過去最高に上ったと発表しました。
このうち乗用車の中で日本車は２３万８０００台余りとなっていて、販売台数は去年の同じ月より１４．３％減少したものの、全体に対するシェアは、前の月より３．２ポイント拡大して１５％ちょうどと、日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化する以前の去年８月以来、７か月ぶりに１５％台に回復しました。
これに対し、外国車としては最大のシェアを占めるドイツ車や、日本車を激しく追い上げる韓国車は、シェアを落としており、日中関係が冷え込むなか、中国市場でほかの外国メーカーにシェアを奪われてきた日本車がいくぶん盛り返した形となっています。

(試譯文)

The sales number of new car in China last month went up to a little more than 2,030,000 sets, being the highest ever in number in a month; among these the share of the Japanese passenger car had recovered to the15% level, being the first time in seven months.

The China Auto Industry Association announced on the 11th that the sales number of new car last month increased by 13.2% compared to the same month last year against the background of a recovery in business, it became over 2,035,000 sets and had reached the highest number ever in one month.

Among these, the Japanese car was a little more than 238,000 sets in passenger cars. Although the volume of sales decreased by 14.3% compared with the same month last year, yet as a whole in sales, compared with last month, it had expanded 3.2 point and returned exactly to the level of 15%, being the first time in seven months. Before the Japanese government nationalized the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture in August last year it was 15%.

On the other hand, regarding the German car which was occupying the greatest share as a foreign vehicle and the South Korean car which was catching up with the Japanese car closely, their market share had dropped. This could serve as a sign that, in the Chinese market, the Japanese car had regained part of the market share taken by other foreign makers when Japan-China relations became cold.

It seems that Japanese brand names still have some attraction among Chinese consumers.

日本成為世界最大音樂市場

Recently the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

音楽ソフト売り上げ:日本が初めて米抜き世界最大市場に

毎日新聞　2013年04月08日　22時11分（最終更新　04月09日　00時17分）

　国際レコード産業連盟（ＩＦＰＩ、本部ロンドン）は８日、ＣＤやダウンロードを合わせた音楽ソフトの売上高で、日本が２０１２年に初めて米国を抜き、世界最大市場になったと発表した。

　同日公表された１２年の世界音楽産業統計によると、日本の音楽ソフトの売上高は約４３億ドル（約４２００億円）で、約４１億ドルの米国を上回った。

　映画やＣＭでの使用料など、音楽ソフト以外の売り上げも含めた全体の市場規模では米国が引き続き最大だった。

(試譯文)

   On the 8th the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI, headquarters London) announced that the combined sales of the music software which included CD and download, for the first time, Japan replaced the U.S. in 2012 to become the world's largest market.

   According to the world music industry statistics 2012 released on the same day, the sales of a Japanese music software was about 4,300 million dollars (about 420 billion yen), exceeding the U.S. that had about 4,100 million dollars.

   In terms of the total market size that would include the sales other than music software, such as the usage fee for movie and CM, the U.S. continued to be the biggest.

It seems that the Japanese people love music very much.

UNIQLO擴展香港支店規模

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

ユニクロ 香港に大型店開店へ

4月25日 23時51分

大手衣料品チェーン「ユニクロ」を展開するファーストリテイリングの柳井正会長は２５日、訪問先の香港で記者会見し、新たに大型店舗をオープンするなど香港での事業を強化することで中国での販売拡大に弾みをつけたい考えを示しました。

ファーストリテイリングの柳井正会長は、２６日、香港で新たに中核となる大型店舗をオープンするのを前に現地で記者会見しました。この中で柳井会長は、かつて上海に出店した店舗の業績がふるわず、その後、香港に店を出して現地のビジネスを学んだことを明らかにしたうえで、「香港への出店で成功したことが、その後のアジアでの成長の原動力になった」と述べ、香港市場の戦略的な重要性を強調しました。
新たに香港にオープンする店舗は、売り場面積がこれまでの香港の店に比べて２倍余りから３倍余り大きく、中国本土から多くの観光客が訪れ、情報発信の役割も期待されており、ファーストリテイリングでは、香港での事業を強化することで中国での販売拡大に弾みをつけたい考えです。
また、柳井会長は最近の急激な円安について、「われわれは円安でも円高でも商売できるということがいちばん大事なので、安定した為替がいちばんよい」と述べ、為替相場は安定していることが望ましいという考えを示しました。

(試譯文)

On the 25^th Tadashi Yanai the chairman of the Fast Retailing which operated a major company clothing chain the "UNIQLO" gave a press interview in Hong Kong where he was visiting; he showed the idea of wishing to spur sales expansion in China by strengthening the enterprise in Hong Kong, such as by opening a new large store.

Fast Retailing Chairman Tadashi Yanai met the press before the opening of the large store on the 26^th which would serve as a new core in Hong Kong. During the meeting, Chairman Yanai said that once the store opened in Shanghai did not show clear achievements, then the business of the store opened in Hong Kong was studied to help make clear the matter. He said that "to have a successfully opened shop in Hong Kong could become a driving force of growth in Asia thereafter". He emphasized the strategic importance of the Hong Kong market.

Compared with the old store in Hong Kong, this newly opened store in Hong Kong had a store space two to there time bigger. It was visited by many tourists from mainland China; its role in information dissemination was expected. At Fast Retailing, by strengthening the enterprise in Hong Kong, it was expected that this shop could spur sales expansion in China.

Moreover, concerning the latest sharp fall of the yen Chairman Yanai said “it is most important that we can do business whether we are having a weak yen or a strong yen, the best is to have a stable money exchange”. He expressed the wish that the exchange rate could become stable.

Probably a weak yen could help many Japanese to do business in Hong Kong and China.

日本希望加強大學生英語水平

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

ＴＯＥＦＬを国公立大の卒業要件に…自民が提言

自民党教育再生実行本部（遠藤利明本部長）は８日、世界で活躍できる人材の育成策をまとめた提言を、安倍首相（自民党総裁）に提出した。英語教育の抜本改革と理数教育の刷新、ＩＣＴ（情報通信技術）教育の充実を柱に、国公立大学の受験や卒業に、英語能力テスト「ＴＯＥＦＬ」で一定以上の成績を求めることなどを盛り込んだ。

　ＴＯＥＦＬは米国の非営利団体が実施する試験で、留学生の英語力を測る際などに使われる。提言では、受験・卒業の基準点は各大学で定めるとしているが、トップレベル３０校程度については、ＴＯＥＦＬ９０点（１２０点満点）以上を卒業要件とするよう求めた。

　理数教育では、文系でも、大学入試で「理数の力を重視する」ことを求めた。当初案では「理数科目を必須にする」としていたが、入試は各大学の判断で実施することから軌道修正し、大学側に促す程度にとどめる。私立大などからは、受験生の負担増を懸念する声が上がっていた。

（2013年4月8日22時25分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

On the 8^th the Liberal Democratic Party Education Rejuvenation Execution Headquarters (Director-General Toshiaki Endo) submitted to Prime Minister Abe (the Liberal Democratic Party President) the proposal which touched on of the training measures that could shape the talented people to play an active role in the world. It incorporated a fundamental reform in English education and a reform in the education of science and mathematics. It noted the important role of strengthening the  ICT (information and communication technology) education, suggesting that when students taking the examinations of the national and public universities and colleges, and also when at graduation, the English aptitude test "TOEFL" should be used and that a certain level of test results should be required.

   TOEFL was the examination carried out by an American nonprofit institution which measured a student's command of English. At the proposal although it supposed that the standard to be set in the examination and at graduation would be decided by individual university, for the 30 top universities it asked for more than 90 points in the TOEFL (120-point full marks) as the requirement for graduation.

   In the science and mathematics education, also in liberal arts, it asked for "treating the ability in science and mathematics as important" in regard to the university entrance examination. Although in the original plan it supposed that "science and mathematics will be made indispensable", the practice that the entrance examinations would be carried out based on the judgment of individual university was adjusted, to such an extent that it urged the universities to stop it. From the private colleges etc. voices had come out which expressed the concern about the increasing burden towards students who were preparing for the examinations.

It seems that Japan is trying to strengthen its English education.

吉野家牛肉飯減價

Recently the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

牛丼:吉野家も値下げ…並盛り２８０円、１８日から

毎日新聞　2013年04月10日　18時58分（最終更新　04月10日　19時34分）

　牛丼大手の吉野家ホールディングスは１０日、米国産牛肉の輸入規制緩和を受けて、１８日午前１０時から全国（一部店舗を除く）で牛丼を値下げすると発表した。並盛りは現在の３８０円より１００円安い２８０円となる。牛丼大手では「すき家」を展開するゼンショーホールディングスと松屋フーズが期間限定で値下げを実施しており、価格競争が再燃した。

　吉野家の値下げは販売キャンペーンではなく、期間は設けない。大盛りは４０円安い４４０円に、特盛りも９０円安い５４０円にそれぞれ価格を引き下げる。

(試譯文)

   Yoshinoya Holdings, a major beef bowl company, announced on the 10th that it would reduce the price of a beef bowl starting from 10:00 a.m. on the 18th in the whole country (some stores excluded) in response to the lifting of import restrictions on American beef. The regular serving would be changed to 280 yen, 100 yen cheaper than the present 380 yen. As there were already price reduction for a limited time offered by the major beef bowl company the Zensho Holdings which operated the "Lovely Home", and also by the Matsuya Foods, price competition was revived.

  Because the price reduction by Yoshinoya was not part of a sales campaign, no time period had been fixed. The large serving would be 40 yen cheaper at 440 yen and the super serving would be 90 yen cheaper at 540 yen, respectively showing a price reduction.

Price reduction is always good news for the fans of the beef bowl.

小澤征爾漸漸恢復指揮活動

Recently the NHK news on-line reported the following:

小澤征爾さん復帰へ 指揮活動増やす

4月3日 20時36分

ことしの夏の演奏会で本格的な復帰が予定されている世界的な指揮者の小澤征爾さんが３日、東京都内で記者会見し、「去年は病気をしたが、これから少しずつ指揮を増やしていく」と意欲を語りました。

これは毎年、夏に小澤征爾さんが長野県の奥志賀高原で開いている若手の演奏者を対象にした合宿についての記者会見で語ったものです。
この中で小澤さんは、「去年は病気をしましたが、これから少しずつ指揮の活動を増やしていきます。若手の教育の方も減らすつもりは全くないです」と述べ、若手の育成に力を入れながら、指揮者としての活動を増やしていく考えを語りました。
小澤さんは現在７７歳で、３年前に食道がんの手術を受けたあとも体力の低下などで活動の再開と休止を繰り返していますが、先月２７日、京都で行われた演奏会でおよそ１０分間指揮するなど、少しずつ指揮者としての活動を再開していて、ことし８月には長野県松本市で開かれる「サイトウ・キネン・フェスティバル松本」でオペラの指揮をみずから行い、本格的に復帰する予定です。
小澤さんは自身の体調について、「まあまあ、いいです。僕はラッキーだと思って、これは神様からもらったものだ思って、這（は）い上がります」と語っていました。

(試譯文)

The international conductor Mr. Seiji Ozawa had planned a full-scale return to the concerts of this summer; he gave a press interview in Tokyo on the 3^rd to talk about his intention and said that "although I got sick last year, from now on my conducting is increasing little by little".

This was told at the press conference that was about a training camp for the young players which Mr. Seiji Ozawa every year in summer would organize at the Okushiga plateau in Nagano Prefecture.

At the conference, Mr. Ozawa said that “although I got sick last year, from now on I would increase the conducting activities little by little, and that he absolutely has no plan to reduce the education for the young”; meanwhile he expressed the idea of increasing his activities as a conductor and putting energy into training the young.

Mr. Ozawa is 77 years old now. After undergoing an operation of an esophagus cancer three years ago, he had repeatedly resumed and paused his activities due to the falling physical strength etc. But his activity as a conductor had resumed little by little, for example he conducted for about 10 minutes in the concert held in Kyoto on the 27th last month. In August this year he would conduct the opera himself during the "Saito Kinen Festival" scheduled to be open in Matsumoto city in Nagano, and he would return to conducting completely.

About Mr. Ozawa’s own health condition he said that "it could be said so so. I think that I am lucky and consider that I get this from God. This is what has been”.

May I wish Mr. Ozawa every success in the coming Saito Kinen Festival.

日台簽署漁業協定

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

日台漁業協定調印…尖閣で中台連携阻止に効果も

　【台北＝比嘉清太】日本と台湾は１０日、約４年ぶりとなる日台漁業協議を台北で行い、尖閣諸島（沖縄県石垣市）周辺海域に関する操業ルールを定めた漁業協定に調印した。

　〈１〉日台双方の漁業関連法令を適用せず、日台の漁船が操業できる「法令適用除外水域」を設ける〈２〉漁業関連法令は適用するが、日台の漁業者の操業を最大限尊重する「特別協力水域」を設ける――ことが柱だ。１９９６年の協議開始以来、１７年ぶりの妥結となった。協定は、調印から３０日以内に運用開始となる見通し。

　日台間で「最大のトゲ」（交渉筋）となっていた漁業交渉の妥結は、日台関係の進展に加え、尖閣諸島を巡ってともに領有権を主張する中国と台湾が、尖閣問題で連携することを阻止する効果も期待されている。

（2013年4月10日21時08分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

   On the 10^th in Taipei, the first fishery deliberation between Japan and Taiwan in four years was held; a fishery agreement which defined the operation rules about the ocean area surrounding the Senkaku Islands (Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa) was signed:

   (1) To design laws and regulations that aim at the "law exempted waters" where current statutes related to the fisheries in both Japan and Taiwan were not applicable. Both Japan and Taiwan fishing operating vessels would follow the design. (2) In area where the existing fishery related statutes were already applicable, to design regulations for the "special cooperation water region" with the greatest respects for the fishery operators from Japan and Taiwan in mind - these were the two pillars. Since the deliberation start in 1996 this was the first settlement in 17 years. The agreement was expected to start application within 30 days after signing.

Once had been regarded as "the biggest thorn" between Japan and Taiwan, the conclusion of a fishery negotiation could (as a negotiating muscle), on top of advancing the development of the Japan-Taiwan relation, have the effect of preventing the cooperation between Taiwan and China over the Senkaku problems as the latter had been asserting its sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.

An interesting diplomatic move, the agreement could have different meaning for different parties.

中国河南省洛陽市市郊有大量豬隻死亡

Yesterday the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

中国河南省で原因不明の豚の大量死発生…犬も

【北京＝竹内誠一郎】中国河南省のニュースサイト「中原網」などは１７日、同省洛陽市郊外の村で１５日に原因不明の豚の大量死が発生したと伝えた。

　村民の間に鳥インフルエンザ（Ｈ７Ｎ９型）の影響を疑う声もあったが、地元政府は調査の結果、無関係と判断しているという。

　村内の養豚場で死んだ豚は４１０頭。また、村内の各所で犬１２２匹が死んでいるのも見つかった。洛陽市政府によると、動物間の疫病である可能性は低い。

　村内では、地元の化学工場からの排水や排ガスを原因とみる指摘もあるが、大気や水質に著しい汚染はみられないという。

（2013年4月17日19時37分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

   On the 17^th the "Zhongyuan Network" news web site in China’s Henan Province said that an extensive death of pigs due to unknown reason had occurred in the villages at the suburb of the Luoyang city on the 15^th.

    Although there were voices among the village people suspecting the influence of the bird flu (H7N9 type), the result of investigation by the local government said that it was unrelated.

   There were 410 pigs died in the pig farms in the villages. Moreover, it was also found that 122 dogs had died in different locations in the villages. According to the Luoyang government, the possibility of having an epidemic among the animals was low.

   Although in the villages there were also indications that the drainage and the exhaust gas from the local chemical factory could be a cause, it was said that a major pollution to the atmosphere or to the water quality was not seen.

If it is not due to the pollution, then why the pigs and dogs died suddenly, interesting.

日本加強與蒙古的合作關係

Last month the NHK news on-line reported the following:

モンゴルを訪問している安倍総理大臣は、首都ウランバートルで、アルタンホヤグ首相と会談し、モンゴルにおける資源開発などで協力していくことを確認するとともに、モンゴルが北朝鮮と国交があることを踏まえ、拉致問題の解決に向けた協力を要請しました。

安倍総理大臣は、３０日午後、モンゴルの首都ウランバートルに到着し、日本時間の午後５時すぎから、モンゴルの政府庁舎でアルタンホヤグ首相と会談しました。
会談で、安倍総理大臣は、ウランバートルの大気汚染対策への技術協力や地下鉄建設に向けた調査など、幅広い分野にわたる支援策を盛り込んだ、モンゴル語で“活力”という意味に当たる「エルチ・イニシアチブ」を示し、モンゴルの経済成長を後押しする方針を伝えました。
そのうえで、両首脳は、両国間のＥＰＡ＝経済連携協定の締結に向けた協議を加速していくことや、石炭をはじめとしたモンゴルにおける資源開発で協力していくことを確認しました。
会談のあと、安倍総理大臣は、アルタンホヤグ首相と共同で記者会見を行い、「モンゴルは資源大国で、日本には資源はないが高い技術力がある。この点で協力関係は、両国にとって有益だ」と述べました。
また、安倍総理大臣は、北朝鮮についても意見を交わしたことを明らかにしたうえで、「『北朝鮮による拉致問題は、安倍政権で必ず解決する決意だ』と伝え、理解を求めた。アルタンホヤグ首相からは、理解と支持の表明があった」と述べました。
さらに、安倍総理大臣は中国との関係について、「日中関係は重要な２国間関係だ。難しい問題があるが、日本からエスカレートさせるつもりは全くない。冷静に対処していく方針だ。個別の問題はあっても、日中関係全体に影響を及ぼさないようにしていくべきだ。われわれとしては、対話のドアは常にオープンだと申し上げている」と述べました。

(試譯文)

Prime Minister Abe who was visiting Mongolia conferred with Prime Minister Arutanhoyagu in the capital Ulan Bator; while he endorsed the cooperation in the resource development of Mongolia etc., based on the latter’s diplomatic relations with North Korea, he demanded the cooperation of Mongolia to solve the abduction problem.

Prime Minister Abe arrived at Mongolia's capital Ulan Bator in the afternoon on the 30th. At Japan Standard Time slightly past 5:00 p.m. he conferred with Prime Minister Arutanhoyagu in the Mongolian's government building.

At the talk, Prime Minister Abe touched on the technical cooperation to battle against air pollution in Ulan Bator, and the subway construction investigation etc. which were incorporated in a support package covering a broad field. "Eruchi Initiative" in Mongolian which had the meaning of "vitality" was shown, and the plan to back up Mongolian's economic growth was conveyed.

On top of this, both leaders agreed to accelerate the deliberations which aimed at the conclusion of the EPA: the economic partnership agreement between both countries. The cooperation in the resource development in Mongolia would start from coal.

After a talk Prime Minister Abe gave a press interview together with Prime Minister Arutanhoyagu and described that "Mongolian is a resource-rich country, although Japan does not have resources it has high technical capabilities. On this point cooperative relation is useful for both countries."

Moreover, it was said that Prime Minister Abe, after exchanging opinions about North Korea, showed clearly the message “that ‘the Abe Administration is certainly determined to solve the abduction problem caused by North Korea’ was conveyed, and an understanding was sought. There was a manifestation of an understanding and support from Prime Minister Arutanhoyagu."

Furthermore, regarding the Japan-China relation, Prime Minister Abe said that “Japan-China relations are important relationship for both countries. Although there is a difficult problem, definitely Japan does not plan on escalating the problem. The plan is to cope with it calmly. Even if there is an individual problem, one should make sure the problem would not affect the overall Japan-China relation. I would say that the door for a dialogue is always open".

Probably Japan is interested in the rich natural resource in Mongolia. The co-operation would benefit both countries.

村上春樹新作開始銷售

Yesterday the FNN on-line reported the following:

村上春樹さん新作発売　タイトル以外、中身は全て秘密の戦略

世界的な人気作家・村上春樹さんの新作が、およそ3年ぶりに12日午前0時から発売された。
出版不況といわれる中でも、発売前の段階から予約が殺到し、すでに出版社では、50万部の発行を決めた。
11日夜、東京・渋谷区の「代官山 蔦屋書店」には、世界で早く、一番に買える書店ということで、多くの人が詰めかけていた。
11日午後10時すぎ、発売前に店を訪れた人は「もう一刻も早く読みたいなと、発表になってから、ずっと楽しみで」、「なかなか今、いないと思うんですよ、新作が出ること自体が、話題になる作家というのが」などと話した。
村上春樹さん3年ぶり、待望の新作「色彩を持たない多崎つくると、彼の巡礼の年」が、いよいよ発売された。
世界的にも人気の高い村上春樹さん。
「ノルウェイの森」は、およそ50の国や地域でも翻訳本が出版されており、その名前は毎回、ノーベル文学賞の最有力候補に挙がるほど。
2011年のカタルーニャ国際授賞式で、村上さんは「夢を見ることは、小説家の仕事です。しかし、小説家にとって、より大事な仕事は、その夢を、人々と分かち合うことです」と話していた。
ネット通販「アマゾン」では、3月15日の予約開始から、早くも2万部を突破した。
これは、前作の「1Q84」の予約数を、はるかに超えるペースだという。
12日午前0時に発売されるまで、タイトル以外、中身は全て秘密のベールに包まれていたが、そこにはある戦略があった。
マーケティングにくわしい、関東学院大学文学部の新井克弥教授は「これは、典型的なハングリー・マーケティングという手法になります」と話した。
ハングリー・マーティングとは、情報を発売前に抑えて、飢餓感をあおり、購買意欲をかき立てるという手法。
関東学院大学文学部の新井克弥教授は「物がじかに見えるって、あまり魅力的ではないんですよ。見えたり見えなかったりすると、見たいという欲望が出ますよね。村上春樹という作家は、ある意味でブランドです。大変なブランドです。このブランド力があって、その支持者たちに期待を持たせるような状況がある。こういった土壌があって、初めてハングリーマーケティングは可能になります」と話した。

                                                                                                        (04/12 00:39)

(試譯文)

A new work of the globally popular writer Mr. Haruki Murakami was put on the market from 0:00 a.m. on the 12^th, being the first time in about three years.

While still in the so called publication depression, reservation poured in before the sale, and the publishing company had already opted to issue 500,000 copies.
At night on the 11th at the Daikanyama Ivy Bookstore in Shibuya-ku of Tokyo many people had gathered at this bookstore where one could buy the earliest copies of book in the world.
On the 11th slightly past 10:00 p.m. a person who visited the store before the sale said "I want to read the book immediately, because the book is announced, I am very much feeling happy", "I think very much of it, now it is over; there is the coming out of the new book itself, and there is the writer who has become the center of attention”.
For the first time in three years Mr. Haruki Murakami’s new work "The Colorless Tasaki at its Creation and His Pilgrimage Years" was put on the market.
A globally popular Mr. Haruki Murakami.
The translation of his book "Norwegian Wood" was published in about 50 countries and regions, and every time when looking for a candidate for the Nobel Prize in literature his name came up in the lead.
At the Catalonia international award ceremony in 2011 Mr. Murakami said that “It is a novelist's job to look at dreams. However, what is more important for a novelist is to share the dream with people."
At "Amazon" the sales ordered through the Internet already broke through 20,000 copies since the reservation started on March 15.
It was said that the pace on the number of reservation for this book had by far exceeded the previous work the "1Q84"
All contents were wrapped in the secret veil except for the book title until it was put on the market at 0:00 a.m. on the 12th, and that was a strategy.
On the marketing details, Professor Katsuya Arai of the department of literature at Kanto Gakuin University said "This becomes a technique in typical hungry marketing". Hungry marketing was the technique of suppressing the information, so as to instigate a starvation feeling and arouse the desire to buy.
Professor Katsuya Arai of the department of literature, Kanto Gakuin University said "it is not so attractive to look directly at a thing. When you can have a glimpse yet it is not fully visible, the desire to look at it will come out. In a certain sense the writer called Haruki Murakami is a brand name. It is a respectable brand. This brand name has a power, and the situation is enhanced by the supporters' expectation. Hungry marketing become possible only when there is such soil".

Fans of Mr. Hauki Mrakami around the world must be very happy in reading his new work.

台灣兩艘新巡航船開始服役

Last month the Yomiuri News reported the following:

台湾が新型巡視船、尖閣諸島で日中に対抗姿勢

　台湾の馬英九(マーインジウ)総統は３０日、沖縄県・尖閣諸島の情勢をにらみ、新型の巡視船を就役させた。

　馬政権は、尖閣諸島を含む東シナ海や南シナ海での権益確保に向けて巡視船部隊の増強を進めており、今後は、海上警備能力の充実を背景に日本や中国への対抗姿勢を示していく構えだ。

　就役したのは、台湾の巡視船として初めて４０ミリ機関砲を搭載する「新北艦」（２０００トン級）と「巡護八号」（１０００トン級）。馬総統は高雄港での就役式典で演説し、「周辺海域の情勢は緊張しており、（海上）任務の頻度が非常に高まっている」と強調。また、「新北艦」に乗り込み、艦橋の電光掲示板に日本語や中国語での外国船の退去要請が表示される中、洋上での放水訓練を視察した。

　「新北艦」は北部・基隆に配備され、尖閣周辺海域などを活動範囲とする。

　日本の海上保安庁に相当する台湾海岸巡防署はこれまで、最大で２０ミリ機関砲を備えた巡視船しか持たず、老朽化も目立ったため、「海賊にも勝てない」（蘭寧利・台湾海軍退役中将）とさえ言われた。だが２００８年、尖閣沖で日本の巡視船と衝突した台湾の遊漁船が沈没し、台湾内で海上警備能力に対する批判が強まったのを受け、約２４０億台湾ドル（約７４０億円）を投じて艦艇大幅拡充に乗り出した。３７隻を新造し、計１７３隻体制とする計画で、この日の２隻を第１陣に、１６年頃までに建造が完了する。

（2013年3月30日23時57分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

   On the 30^th (March) Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou commissioned new style patrol vessels to keep an eye on the situation on Okinawa and on the Senkaku Islands.

   Ma’s government in order to ensure the rights-and-interests at the East China Sea and South China Sea including the Senkaku Islands, from now on would continue to reinforce the patrol vessel unit against the background of substantiating the maritime defense capability, and to show the intention to adapt a confrontational posture towards Japan and China.

   The ships taken into office were the "New North Warship" (2000-ton class) and the “Cruise No. 8" (1000-ton class) which, for the first time as a patrol vessel in Taiwan, would carry a 40-mm machine gun. President Ma made a speech at the service ceremony in the Kaohsiung harbor to emphasize that "The situation of the surrounding ocean area has become tense, and the frequency of the duty (marine) is increasing very much". Moreover, while Ma was getting on the "New North Warship", the ship was displaying in Japanese and Chinese language on the electrical scoreboard of the enclosed bridge a message that request a foreign craft to leave. Ma also inspected the on-the-ocean water-discharge exercise.

   The "New North Warship" was arranged to base at the north at Chilung, making the Senkaku surrounding ocean area etc. its sphere of activity.

   It was said that the Taiwan seashore petrol office, the equivalent of the Japan Coast Guard of Japan up to now had only the patrol vessel equipped with a 20-mm machine gun as the maximum. Superannuation was conspicuous and it "could not defeat a pirate" (said Lan Ningli, the retired Taiwan navy lieutenant general). In 2008, a leisure fishing boat from Taiwan collided with a Japanese patrol vessel off the Senkaku and sank. In Taiwan the maritime defense capability received strong criticism for that, a huge warship expansion was set and about 24 billion Taiwan dollars (about 74 billion yen) were invested. 37 boats were newly built and there was a schedule to consider setting up an organization with a total of 173 boats. This day two boats were completed as the first batch and construction would be completed by around 2016.

It is an interesting political move. The boats could help Taiwan to withstand the challenge from both China and Japan at the same time.

三十年後日本人口下跌兩成

Last month the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

推計人口:２０４０年に全都道府県で減　１０年の８割に

毎日新聞　2013年03月27日　20時06分

　３０年後の２０４０年には全都道府県で今の人口（１０年国勢調査）を下回ることが、国立社会保障・人口問題研究所が２７日公表した「地域別将来推計人口」で分かった。０５年の国勢調査に基づいた前回調査では東京都と沖縄県だけは３０年後も増加する見込みだった。全都道府県で減少する見通しが示されたのは初めて。また市区町村別でみると、人口が４割以上減る自治体が３８５と全体の２２．９％に及ぶ。

　１０年国勢調査をもとに推計した。０５年から１０年にかけては３８道府県で総人口が減少したが、推計によると１５年から２０年の間に沖縄県を除く４６都道府県で減り、それ以降は全都道府県で減少に転じる。

　１０年の全国の総人口（１億２８０５万７０００人）を１００とした場合、４０年（１億７２７万６０００人）は８３．８。減少が最も緩やかなのは沖縄（９８．３）で、最も激しいのは秋田（６４．４）。東日本大震災の被災３県は、福島（７３．２）、岩手（７０．５）、宮城（８４．０）といずれも落ち込む。

　市区町村別では、全体（福島県内を除く１６８３自治体）の９５．２％にあたる１６０３自治体で人口が減少する。１１７０自治体（６９．５％）では２割以上減る見込みだ。一方で、６５歳以上が４割以上を占める自治体は８７（５．２％）から、８３６（４９．７％）と半数近くになる。【佐藤丈一】

(試譯文)

   It was understood that in 30 years from now in 2040, based on the "Population Projections According to Area" done by the National Institute of Population’s Social Security Research Office that was released on the 27^th, the present population (2010 national census) in all the prefectures would go down. Based on the previous census done in 2005, after 30 years only Tokyo and Okinawa could expect a population increase. This was the first time that the prospect of a decrease in all the prefectures was shown. Moreover, if to look at it according to cities, wards, towns, and villages, 385 self-governing bodies could have a population decreases over 40 percent, while as a whole it would reach 22.9%.

   It was an estimate based on the national census of 2010. From 2005 to 2010, while the overall population had decreased in 38 districts, counties or prefectures, according to the estimate, from 2015 to 2020 there would be a decrease in all the 46 prefectures except for the Okinawa Prefecture. Afterwards all prefectures would gear towards a decreasing trend.

   If the total population (128,057,000 people) of the whole country in 2010 was set at 100, in 2040 it would be 83.8 (107,276,000 people). The reduction in Okinawa (98.3) would be the slowest while the most intense one would be in Akita (64.4). All the 3 prefectures that were stricken by the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster would fall: Fukushima (73.2), Iwate (70.5), and Miyagi (84.0).

   In cities, towns, and villages, 1603 self-governing bodies that was an equivalent to 95.2% of the total (1683 self-governing bodies except for the Fukushima prefecture), the population would decrease.1170 self-governing bodies (69.5%) would likely have a decrease of twenty percent or more. On the other hand regarding the self-governing body where 40 percent or more of its people were aged 65 or over, the body number would change from about 87 (5.2%) to 836 (49.7%), nearing half of the total.

Obviously, the population in Japan is aging quickly.

日本長壽健康大國地位可能退色

Last month the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

「健康で長生き」の脅威:日本人は「腰痛」トップ　

毎日新聞　2013年03月27日　19時56分（最終更新　03月27日　20時07分）

　日本人にとって「健康で長生き」の脅威となる病気や障害のトップは腰痛との分析結果を、米ワシントン大、東京大などの研究チームがまとめ、英医学誌ランセット（電子版）に発表した。自殺も上位に入っている。チームは「世界一長寿の日本人の健康が揺らぎ始めている。長く生きても病気などに苦しむ期間が延びていることを示している」と説明する。

　日本の分析は、厚生労働省の人口動態調査などを基にした。平均寿命より早く死亡することで失った年数、障害を抱えて生きる年数を考慮し、病気などが健康に与える負担の程度を分析した。この手法は、死に直結しないが日常生活に支障をきたし、健康寿命を縮める病気や障害を明らかにできる。

　その結果、２０１０年で最も負担度が重かったのは「腰痛」で、脳卒中、虚血性心疾患（心筋梗塞（こうそく）など）、肺炎、関節症などの筋骨格系障害、肺がん、自殺−−と続く。１９９０年の分析ではトップ３は脳卒中、腰痛、虚血性心疾患の順だった。また、自殺は若年層（１５〜４９歳）の死因の２７％を占め、９０年の１６．５％から急伸、世界でも飛び抜けて高かった。

　さらに、こうした脅威の背景にある最も重要な要因として「食生活」を指摘した。和食は低カロリーだが塩分が強く、果物やナッツ類が不足するなど栄養素の偏りが問題だという。２位以下は高血圧、喫煙（副流煙を含む）、運動不足、肥満だった。

　チームによると、２０１０年の日本人の平均寿命は８２．６歳だが、健康寿命は７３．１歳（男女平均）。分析にあたった渋谷健司・東京大教授（国際保健政策学）は「政府は国民の健康課題に効果的に取り組んでいるように見えない。食事の改善、禁煙、腰痛対策など高齢化に伴う問題とともに、自殺予防に向けた精神疾患対策などを進めなければ、健康長寿世界一の座を維持できないだろう」と話す。

(試譯文)

   The summarized analysis result done by the U.S. University of Washington and the University of Tokyo research team that was released it to the English medicine magazine Lancet (electronic edition) had shown that lumbago was the top illness and obstacle that posed a threat to the Japanese towards "to be healthy and long living". Suicide was also included in the rankings at the top. The team said that "the health of the Japanese as the world’s number one long life people is beginning to shake. It is shown that even if people could live longer, the period which they suffer from illness etc. is prolonged".

   Japan's analysis was conducted based on the population census of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare etc. Health was analyzed in consideration of the years cut short due to death that was earlier than the life expectancy, and the years which there was obstacle in health, together with the degree of the burden of the illness etc on health. Although this technique did not link directly to death, it could clarify how the illness and the obstacle interfered with everyday life, and cut short the healthy life expectancy.

   The result showed that in 2010 "lumbago" had the heaviest level of burden; it was followed by stroke, ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction etc.), pneumonia, musculoskeletal disorder such as osteoarthritis, lung cancer, and suicide. In the analysis in 1990, the top 3 in ranking order were stroke, lumbago, and ischemic heart disease. Moreover, suicide occupied 27% of the cause of death for the young age group (15-49 years old), being a sharp increase from 16.5% in 1990, and was also a rapid increase in the world.

   Furthermore, "eating habit" was pointed out as the most important factor that served as a backdrop to such a threat. It was said that the Japanese-style food had low calorie and high salt content, and it ran short of fruit and nuts, and it had the problem of biased nutrients. The 2nd and further down places were high blood pressure, smoking (second-hand smoke was included), lack of exercise, and overweight.

   According to the team, in 2010 the life expectancy of the Japanese was 82.6 years old while the healthy life expectancy was 73.1 years old (man-and-woman average). Kenji Shibuya the professor of the University of Tokyo (International Health Political Science) who was the in charge of the analysis said that "the government does not seem to tackle the national healthy subject effectively. If the measures against the problems that accompany aging, such as improvements in the meal, prohibition of smoking, and the measures against lumbago, and together with no further advancement in the psychiatric disorder policy etc. that aims at the prevention suicide, then the seat of the world's No.1 in healthy long-life probably could not be maintained."

It seems that changes in life style among the Japanese have reduced the healthy long life expectancy of the people.